Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. It is also known as:

• degenerative joint disease
• degenerative arthritis
• wear-and-tear arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects more than one-third of adults over the age of 65. A significant fraction of younger adults also suffer from OA symptoms.

 

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis (OA)

The symptoms of OA vary from person to person. Some people may only have mild pain and swelling. Others may experience joint damage that significantly affects their quality of life. OA of the knees, in particular, is a major cause of disability in the United States.

Stiffness

For most people with OA, stiffness is usually worse in the mornings. At these times, joints may feel achy, rigid and hard to move.

Pain

Soreness and aching pain are common symptoms of OA. Muscle pain can also occur in the surrounding tissue. Usually, pain, like stiffness, is most intense after sleep or a period of inactivity.
Some people with OA feel more pain during movement of the joints and less pain when at rest. Over time, the pain may occur even when the joints are not used.Joint tenderness, sensitivity of the joints to touch, can also occur in people with OA.
Pain and tenderness can be caused by:

• bones rubbing against each other
• inflammation in the joints
• bone spurs (bony growths)
• pinched nerves caused by swelling and displacement of joint tissue

Swelling

Swelling is more common in people with RA than OA. However, people with OA also experience swelling. Swelling is the body’s reaction to irritants, such as bone-on-bone contact. It contributes to the stiffness and pain experienced by patients with OA.

Loss of Flexibility and Range of Motion

About 80 percent of people with OA have some problem with range of motion. A quarter need assistance with daily living activities like dressing, bathing, putting on shoes, getting in and out of chairs, climbing stairs

Bone Spurs

Bone spurs are small bony projections. They can occur naturally, but they may also be a response to inflammation in a joint. Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, can sometime be felt as hard little lumps around joints affected by OA. They are not painful in and of themselves. However, bone spurs can rub against nearby nerve and bone, causing additional pain.

Fatigue

People with OA often have to exert extra physical effort in order to carry out the basic daily tasks of living. This can cause fatigue. Inflammation is caused by chemical mediators called cytokines. These can also cause fatigue.

Noisy Joints

Many people with OA hear sounds in their joints when they move. Their joints may make noises such as creaking, snapping, crackling, grinding etc. These noises are often accompanied by discomfort or pain.

Depression and/or Anxiety

People who suffer from OA are at an increased risk for anxiety and depression. Chronic pain from OA can cause a great deal of stress, as can the disability that often results from OA. Having healthy coping mechanisms in place can reduce the risk of depression and anxiety caused by OA.

Fever

Fever is not generally a symptom of OA. However, extensive inflammation can cause a low-grade fever.

Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Generally, the first step in treating osteoarthritis focuses on reducing pain. This is often done with a combination of medicine, exercise, and physical therapy. Lifestyle changes, such as adding low-impact exercise, can also extend the life of joints and delay more invasive treatments.